Irrigation system



Feb, 9, 1937. P. DE LACY-MULHALL 2,070,089

IRRIGATION SYSTEM Original Filed March 21, 1932 3 SheetS-Sheet llNVENTOR Feb. 9, 1937. P. DE LACY-MULHALL 2,070,039

IRRIGATION SYSTEM Original Filed March 2l, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 9,1937. P. DE LAcY-MULHALL IRRIGATION SYSTEM Original Filed March 21, 19323 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 9, 1937 UNiTED STATESPATENT OFFICE Application 3 Claims.

This invention relates toa system for supplying water for irrigationpurposes.

In such systems, the soil can be irrigated from water outlets eitherabove or below the ground. It is convenient, when large areas are to beirrigated, to irrigate smaller sections of the area at a time, therebyensuring against any excessive rate of water consumption with itsattendant difculties.

It is one of the objects of my invention to make it possible to cause acyclic operation of such a system so that each section or block isirrigated successively. This can be accomplished by a control by the aidof which the sequence of activity for each section or block of theirrigation system is automatically maintained. The initiation of thecontrol can be either by manual ci automatic means.

It is still another object of my invention to provide a waterdistribution valve that is easy to manipulate and that ensures perfectclosure, while the opening operation is secured without the exercise ofan unusual force.

I am enabled to accomplish this result by pro viding a valve of novelform, in which the pressure of the water serves selectively either tokeep the valve tightly closed, or to urge the valve open. Selection ofthe direction in which this pressure can be effective is controlled by arotatable member actuated either manually or automatically, or by power,such as hydraulic or electric means.

My invention possesses many other advantages,

` easily apparent from a consideration of several embodiments of myinvention. For this purpose I have shown a few forms in the drawingsaccompanying and forming part of the present specification. I shall nowproceed to describe these forms in det-ail, which illustrate the generalprinciples of my invention; but it is to be understood that thisdetailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since thescope of my invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagram sho-wing an irrigation system embodying myinvention;

Fig. 2 is a detail section taken along plane 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is another detail section taken along the 'lane 3 3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4i is an enlarged detail View of one o the buckets or receptacleswith some of its associated parts;

March 21,

Renewed July 8, 1936 1932, Serial N0. 600,136

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the installation of Fig. 1, taken alongplane 5 5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a detail View taken from the plane 6 6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a detail view taken along plane 'I 'I of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view of the control valve used inconnection with my invention;

Fig. 9 is a detail section of the valve taken along plane 9 9 of Fig. 8;

Figs. 10 and 11 are detail sections taken along the planes l |0 and Illl respectively of Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a diagram showing the sequence of operation of the valve; and

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary view illustrating a. slightly modified form ofthe invention.

In Figs. 1, 2 and 3 there is shown an irrigation system having anindefinite number of blocks o1' sections. ranged below the ground level,and the water distributed thereby can optionally be discharged eitherbelow the ground or carried to outlets above ground. Thus, for example,there is a main pipe I which is supplied with water under pressure froman appropriate source or reservoir, and which can be controlled by amain valve 2. This pipe I is provided with a series of branches such as3, 4 and 5 controlled respectively by the control valves 6, 1 and 8,spaced along the length of pipe I and corresponding to the blocks orsections under control.

During normal operation, the valve 2 is kept continuously open. Valves6, l and 8 are, however, so controlled that they are opened insuccession, and in a definite timed cycle. Although only three blocksare shown in the present instance, any number of them may be provided asindicated by the breaks in the main pipe l. Furthermore, it is to beunderstood that the branches 3, 4, and lead to appropriate sets ofdistributing nozzles or jets either below or above the ground.

In isolated places especially, it is advantageous so to arrange mattersthat the irrigation system performs automatically, and without thenecessity of any complicated apparatus for performing the timingfunction. In this instance, the timing functions are performed byintervals required for an accumulation of a denite amount of water in ameasuring device, the period of accumulation providing the timingfunctions, and the weight of the water providing the force forperforming the mechanical control movements.

In order to accomplish this result, each of the The system is mostconveniently arvalves 6, 'i and 8 are arranged to be controlled by itsassociated pilot valve 9, i@ or il, in a manner to be described.

Before describing in detail how these pilot Valves operate to performthis function, the mechanical arrangement for directly operating thevalves 6, 'l and 8 will be disclosed. Since this mechanical means is thesame for all of the valves only one of them, such as 5 will be describedin detail.

As shown most clearly in Figs. 5 and 9, this Valve is provided with anoperating shaft or plug I2, which upon rotation through a denite angle,such as sixty degrees, will cause the valve to move to its fully open orfully closed position. In the position shown in l', valve 6 is closed.By rotating the element l2 in a .clockwise direction as viewed in Fig.i, the Valve 5 can be openedr and the associated block irrigated throughthe pipe 3, because valve controls admission' of water to branch 3.

To accomplish this rotary motion of element i 2, use is made of theweight of water accumulating in a receptacle or bucket i3. This bucketi3 (Figs. l, 4) is mechanically connected to swing or tilt about theaxis of member l2 in either` direction.

As shown most clearly in Fig. 4, this bucket has a central partition ififorming the two compartments i5 and i6 with outlet spouts il and i8. Inthe position shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the compartment i 5 is inwaterdischarging position, and compartment E is in water receiving position.When a su'licient amount of water accumulates in the compartment i6, thebucket I3 is tilted by the weight of the water, and in tilting willrotate the member l2 to open the valve 6. The mechanical connectionbetween the bucket I3 and the member l2 is clearly disclosed in Fig. 5.In this gure there are indicated walls i9 and 20, forming a trough whichmay be below the level of the ground for housing the control equipment.These walls can be made of concrete or similar material. Embedded ineach of the walls are supporting ledges 2l and 22, which serve tosupport the transverse bar 23. To this bar is joined the stationaryshaft 2li upon which the bucket I3 is pivoted, as by the aid ofdepending ears or lugs 3i. Shaft 2Q can have an extension 25 engagingthe top of the wall 2i? if desired. Arranged near the to-p edge of thebucket and opposite the partition le is a U-shaped retaining member 26(Figs. 5, 6 and 7) pivotally supported on a post 2l passing through theboss 23 fastened to the bucket. Extending between the legs of thisU-shaped member 2t is a rod 29 having clevis 36 at its end engaging theT-head of the member i2.

It is apparent that the elements 26, 29 and 38 form a universal couplingbetween rotatable member I2 and the bucket I3, permitting sidesway ofthis bucket as well as for slight irregularities of bucket movements.Furthermore, it is possible to disengage rod 29 from the bucket bylifting clevis 2S, and to enable the valve 6 to be operated manually bythe aid of rod 29, or other mechanical means in place of the weightedbucket.

It is apparent from the description as thus far set forth that rotatablemember i2 is mechanically connected to the bucket i3 to operate valve 6.When water is allowed to flow into compartment i6 of bucket E3 when thebucket is in the position shown in the left hand block of Fig. l, uponsufcient accummulation of water, the

bucket I3 will tilt in a clockwise direction. As soon as the buckettilts the water is discharged through the spout i8 and the bucket willstay in the tilted position until such time as water is fed to thecompartment i5, sufficient to overbalance the bucket and cause it torotate in a counterclockwise direction, to close the valve. Thedistribution of the water to the buckets at the several blocks isarranged in timed relationship, so that after valve o is opened, thetiming function is initiated for the bucket at the succeeding block,water being fed to the right hand compartment of the bucket in thesucceeding block. This system contemplates the use of a pilot pipe 32and a return pipe 33. The pilot Valves 9, lli and il are disposed in thepipe 32 and are respectively adjacent their respective control valves 6,'l and The water from this pilot line 32 can be derived from a branchSli from main pipe i, and leading to a control mechanism 35, from whichthe pilot pipe extends. This control mechanism may be either automaticor manual. If manual, the control mechanism may comprise merely a valvecontrolling the passage of water from pipe Sii to pipe If automatic, theopening of this Valve can be controlled by devices responsive tohumidity or temperature conditions or time or any combinations thereoffor opening the valve between pip-e 3G and pipe 32.

At any rate, when passage of water is permitted between pipe 3:3 andpipe 82, and assuming that all of the control valves 5, l and S areclosed, the rst action is the initiation of the operation of valve 5 toopen it. Thus water is allowed to ow through all of the pilot valvessuch as 9, l, and i i, and then back through the pipe 33 to a primeroutlet S3. Each of the plugs of pilot valves Si, it and ii is arrangedfor a ninety degree movement, and has two positions. When thecorresponding control valve 6 is closed, the position is such thatpassage of water through pipe 32 is not impeded, as by aid of thethrough aperture 3'1. However, in an open block, where the control valveis open, such as illustrated in Fig. l, the passage of water beyond thisopen position is stopped and instead the water is shunted through otherpassages which will later be described. In this case, passage 31 iscrosswise of pipe 32 and interrupts the ow of water to the right ofvalve Iii.

For the present it is suflicient to note that when the system isstarted, all the pilot valves 9, ii), i l, et cetera, are in a positionto permit water to flow through the entire length of pipe 32 and backthrough pipe 33 to the outlet 35. The water flows through this outlet 35and empties into compartment ioi bucket i3. After a short interval, thebucket i3 tips toward the right, open ing valve 6 and causing water tobe fed through branch 3 to the irrigation nozzles or jets of the firstblock.

At the same time, the pilot valve 9 is turned through an appropriateangle` shown as degrees in this instance, to shut off the flow of waterthrough pipe 32 beyond the first block, thereby stopping the flow ofwater through outlet 36. Thus the flow of water to compartment I6 isinterrupted as soon as the control function of this compartment iscompleted.

The outlet arrangement :iii is illustrated more particularly in Fig. 2.It is preferably so arranged that water leaking from this outlet willnot nd its way into the bucket i3. To accomplish this result, the nozzleis formed as a downwardly directed opening St, the pressure of the Watercauses it to extend laterally in the form of a jet into the bucket i3.As soon as the pilot valve 9 closes, any water dripping through theopening 38 will simply ow by gravity vertically downward along thenozzle 36 and will not reach the bucket I3.

In this way it is assured that leakage will not aiect the proper timingof the system, as such leaks would not develop sucient pressure to causethe jet to extend to the bucket. Accuracy in timing is thereforeassured, even if there should be some slight leaks through any of themain valves, pilot valves, or pipes.

As soon as bucket i3 tilts to open valve another passageway 39 in pilotvalve 9 becomes active to divert the water through pipe 32 into a branchtil. This passageway leads to the through port 3l, thereby forming withthe upper half of this port, a continuous passage between the left handportion of pipe 32 and branch llt. Extending from this branch is anoutlet il similar to outlet 3%, but arranged to discharge water into theleft hand compartment iii of the bucket i3. Water can now be dischargedinto this compartment. As soon as suiicient water accumulates incompartment i5, the weight of it tilts the bucket i3 back to theposition shown in Fig. l and valve 5 is closed. Accordingly, it isapparent that the period of accumulation of Water in compartment l5determines the period of irrigation of the irst block. This period canbe accurately adjusted, as by the aid of a hand control valve 42. Uponclosing of the valve t, the pilot valve 9 is again in a position topermit the passage of water beyond it through the pipe 32.

The control of the pilot valve t simultaneously with the tilting of thebucket i3 is accomplished by mechanism shown most clearly in Figs. 4 and5. The pilot valve 9 has an actuating arm or lever 1.13. This actuatingarm is moved by the bucket i3 between its two positions, as by the aidof a segment arm ld joined to one of the ears 3l of the bucket. This armlla, for example, may have a pair of upstanding bosses d5 and 46engaging the boss el of lever 3. In the position of Fig. 4, the lever i3is held by projection i5 to place passageway 3l in alinement with pipe32. When the bucket tilts in a clockwise direction, the oppositeprojection it engages boss 4l and moves lever i3 in a clockwisedirection so as to place passageway 3l vertical, and the communieatingpassageway 39 horizontal, for completing the connection between pipe 32and extension liti. By appropriate rictional or gravity means, lever itis maintained against movement until positively actuated by the arm 54.It is furthermore, apparent that upon counterclockwise movement ofbucket I3, lever i3 will be moved in a counterclockwise direction torestore the pilot valve 9 to the position of Fig. l.

During the period of time that valve S is open, that is when bucket i3has been tilted in a clockwise direction, water passes not only throughthe timing outlet li l, but also passes through a branch 16, connectingto branch dil. The rate of flow through this branch can be controlled bya manually set valve i9. Branch i8 leads to an outlet 5i! in thesucceeding block, which discharges water to the right hand compartmentof the corresponding bucket 5 i. Thus by the time compartment i5 at therst block accumulates sufficient water to cause closure of valve S, theright hand compartment i5 of bucket 5l has also accumulated enough waterto tilt bucket 5I to the position shown, that is, valve 1 is opened.This opening, however, is delayed by the timing action or the iiow ofwater into the right hand compartment of bucket 5l so that valve l' doesnot open until or near the time when valve 6 closes, by the action ofWater in compartment i5.

The diagram of Fig. 1 illustrates the condition when bucket 5l has beentilted to open valve l, and bucket I3 has been rotated in acounterclockwise direction to close valve 6.

Movement of the bucket 5! to the position shown, causes the pilot valvel to stop the flow of water through pipe 32 beyond valve Hi, and todivert it instead through the branch 52. From branch 52 water ispermitted to flow through the outlet 53 past an adjustable valve 5. Thiswater accumulates in the left hand compartment of bucket Ei l, and aftera denite interval, its weight causes the bucket 5i to rotate in acounterclockwise direction, to close the valve l' as well as to operatepilot valve lil.

` Similarly, water is also supplied during the period when contr-o1valve I is open, through a branch 5t which passes water to an outlet 56associated with the succeeding block, which in this `instance is theeXtreme right hand block illustrated. Here the same series of operationsis performed. The bucket 5'! in this last block is tilted due to theaccumulation of water in its right hand compartment. The intervalrequired to tilt this the pilot valve Il to clear the pipe 32.

it is apparent that any number of succeeding blocks can be similarlycontrolled. Ultimately all of the valves 5, l, 8, et cetera will havebeen opened in succession, and will have been closed in succession. Ifnothing further is done, the irrigation system begins on a new cycle,and control valve 6 is then again opened. However, the control mechanism35 can be so arranged as to shut off the fdow of water to pipe 32 uponthe completion of one cycle, or it can be manually controlled to effectthis result.

It is sometimes advisable to assure against the tilting of the buckets5l and 5l as well as succeeding buckets of successive blocks, until theprevious block has completed its cycle of irrigation. For this purpose,a sequel keeper may be used. Such a keeper is illustrated in connectionwith' buckets 5l and 57, and its details are apparent from Fig. 3. Thearrangement is such that while there is pressure in pipe 55(corresponding to the open position of the preceding control valve), aplunger 5t is held by this water pressure against the bottoni of thebucket, preventing it from tilting. This plunger is subjected to waterpressure from a branch 5l leading from the pipe 55. This plunger 6) hasa stroke long enough to permit complete tilting of bucket 51, when itdrops by gravity into the cylinder E52 in response to failure of thefluid pressure in branch 55.

It is possible to utilize other forms of sequel keepers. Thus in Fig.i3, the bucket 5| is shown as having a stopping lug 63 cooperating witha pivoted lever 64 that is weighted normally to keep the detent S5opposite the lug S3. While the preceding bucket, such as I3, is in openposition, that is, when it is in the position corresponding t the opencondition of valve 6, there is pressure in the pilot pipe 32. This isdue to the fact that pilot valve 9 interrupts the flow of water to pipe32 beyond an open control valve. However, as soon as bucket I3 returnsto the closed position, this pressure in pipe 32 becomes lactive, andcauses the operation of a popup plunger 65. This plunger pushes thelever .61% up, and removes detent from the path of lug 63, permittingbucket 5l to tilt to open position.

A brief rsum of the operation ci' the system of Fig. l can now be setforth.

Normally all of the buckets of the entire system are in the closedposition, such as the buckets i3 and 5l. As soon as Water is allowed t0flow through pipe 32 through action of control 35, compartment I6 of thefirst bucket I3 is supplied with water through the outlet 35. After adefinite interval, bucket i3 tilts to open valve l. At the same time,pilot valve 9 is actuated to stop the flow of water through pipe 32beyond this valve 9, thereby shutting off water through opening 36.Water, however, passes through the branch lil and 'the left handcompartment l5 of bucket i3 is supplied with water, which, after apredetermined time, causes the closure of valve' 6. At the same timewater is supplied through pipe 48 to outlet 5u of the succeeding block.After a denite interval, bucket 5l is tilted to open valve '1. When thisoccurs water is diverted from pipe 32 by the pilot valve I9, and intobranch 52. From this branch 52 water is supplied to outlet 53, supplyingwater to the left hand compartment of bucket 5l, which is suincientafter a predetermined interval, to cause bucket 5l to tilt in acounterclockwise direction to close valve l. Water is also passed tooutlet 55, to cause opening of valve 8 after a predetermined interval.

When valve 'l closes water is again permitted to pass through pipe 32,and no Water is passed through branch 52. Bucket 5l is permitted to tiltby the sequel keeper in a clockwise direction to open valve 8, where thesame series of operations is performed.

It is to be noted also that as soon as each of the buckets returns toits closed position no further flow of water is permitted through thecorresponding branch, such as d6, 52 or 59 so that the water used tooperate a succeeding bucket to opening position is diverted as soon asthere is suicient accumulation for this purpose.

Any dripping or overlapping of operations of valve operations will notinterfere with the tming due to the provisions shown in Fig. 2,preventing water from reaching the bucket unless it has suicient forceto project laterally from the nozzle.

In order that a system such as described may operate effectively, it is,of course, essential that the control valves 6, 8, et cetera, bepositively closed and opened. The force available for such positiveopening and closing is limited by the weight of the water which isavailable to tilt the bucket structures. Accordingly, there has beendevised a Valve structure in which the tilting of the bucket servesmainly as a control for causing operation of the valve directly by thepressure of the medium which is controlled; in this instance, water.

The details of this novel valve construction are shown to best advantagein Figs. S-l2, inclusive. Thus, there is a main housing 6l formed with acover 68. The lower portion of lthe body is formed with a tapered valveseat B9, the taper converging toward an outlet conduit or discharge 1G,the

axis of which is substantially in line with the axis of the tapered seat69. Extending laterally of the tapered seat is an inlet conduit l. Thisinlet conduit 'H communicates with an annular or ring chamber 'i2 formedintermediate of the valve seat 69. It is apparent that inlet pressure iseffective in this annular rchamber to urge the valve closure plug 73toward opening position. This closure is arranged to` t closely in thetapered seat 69 and to interrupt communication between the ring chamberl2 and the outlet conduit le.

As shown most clearly in Fig. 8, there is a chamber 14 above the plugclosure 73. With the valve in the position shown, this chamber 'lll issubjected to the pressure oi the fluid, holding the closure 'I3 firmlyin place and overpowering the pressure acting in the annular chamber l2,which urges the closure 'i3 toward opening position.

It is apparent that if the valve is to be opened, it is necessary toreduce the pressure in chamber le; and this is accomplished by the aidof the rotatable member l2.

This rotatable member is disclosed most clearly in Fig. 9. It has a longtapered body or plug 'l5 through which various ports and passageways areformed for elfecting control of the iiuid pressures above the closurei3. This. tapered member l5 is rotatably supported in a pair of bossesi5 and ll formed integrally on opposite sides of the body El'. The axisof the member l?. and plug 'l5 is laterally displaced from the axis ofclosure 73. In order to hold member 'l5 against axial displacement, anut 'i8 and cap l are threaded over the boss '56. Similarly, a cap 8! isthreaded over the boss Tl. If desired, a soit gasket 8 l such as lead,can be interposed between flange 82 of the cap 8l] and the body of thevalve. This cap 8c, furthermore, is provided with an annular wall 83forming a chamber 84 around the boss l'i for a purpose to be hereinafterdescribed.

In the position shown in Fig. 9, the fluid pressure in the inlet 'H iscommunicated to the chamber lll. This is eifected by a connection 83'(Figs. 5 and 9) leading from the ring or annular chamber l2 andextending into the nipple connection 8d in the end of cap 85]. From thecap 8i), the uid pressure extends through an axial aperture 85 in thebottom of member 15, and thence into the cross passage or slot 86extending diametrically through the plug 'l5 (Figs. 9 and ll). Thispassage 85 is for this position in alinement with a pair ofdiametrically opposite slots 8l in the boss Tl. These slots 81 serve topass the uid to the annular chamber 84. From this annular chamber 813the fluid enters the main housing 6l to the chamber 'Hl by way of anumber of ports or openings 58, nine being shown in this instance. Theseopenings SS establish connection between the annular chamber 84 and thechamber M.

In order to relieve this pressure in chamber 'i4 to permit opening ofthe valve, venting ports and passageways are formed which are activeupon a definite rotation of member I2. Furthermore, a mechanicalconnection is also provided between the valve closure 73 and the memberl2, so that after this pressure is relieved in chamber lll, continuedrotation of member l2 will mechanically lift the closure. This can beaccomplished for example, by the aid of a crank or lever 89 pivotallyjoined to the ears or lugs SU formed on top of the valve closure T3, andalso pivoted on a cylindrical portion 9| of the plug l5. However, thearrangement is such that the mechanical connection is ineffective untilmember l2 rotates far enough to cause venting of the chamber 14.Therefore, a lost motion connection is provided between the lever t9 andmember l5. This is shown most clearly in Fig. 8. The lever 99 has anoval slot 92 through which extends a post or pin 93 fastened to the plug'l5 in a radial direction. Between the limits of motion determined bythe extent of slot 9.12, the plug l5 can rotate without exerting amechanical force on lever S9. In the closed position of the valve, pin93 engages the left hand end of slot 92, as shown in Fig.8. Plug 15 mustbe rotated in a clockwise direction by about 25 or 30 degrees before theright hand end of slot 92 is engaged by pin 93. The motion dened by thearcuate length of slot 92 is that required for performing the operationof venting chamber lit, in a manner to be described.

As shown most clearly in Fig. 8, that portion of slot 92 which isunoccupied by the pin 93 is open to chamber '16. It is through thisportion of the slot that venting of the pressure in chamber 'I4 iseffected. Thus cut in plug 'l5 is an annular groove 9513 which is incommunication with slot 92. From this groove can lead a pair of slantingapertures 95 and 99, communicating with an axial central aperture 9'! inmember |2. This aperture can be plugged at the upper end, as by a screwplug 98. In communication with axial aperture 9i' is a diametric slot 99(Figs. 9 and 10) which is normally out of register with a pair of slots|99 in the boss I9. However, upon continued rotation of member l2, it isapparent that slot or passage 99 will be alined with the slot |99 andwill permit the uid in chamber 'M to pass through slot 92, groove 9d,passageways 95, 99, 91 and slots 99 and |99 to the atmosphere. At thesame time this rotation of member |2 will destroy the alinement of thepassageway 96 with slots 81, stopping the passage of fluid into chamber14.

The cycle of operation of the valve can be best explained by the aid ofFig. 12. In that figure the legend Main Fort refers to the main valveelements 69 and 73. The legend Venting Port refers to the ports |99through which the chamber 'M can be vented. The legend Pressure Portrefers to the ports 8l through which pressure is applied to chamber 74|.

In the diagram of Fig. l2 the angle between lines lill and |92represents the angle of movement of plug 15 as provided by the tiltingof the buckets. The angle between lines lill and |93 represents theangle of motion during which pressure is applied to chamber 'lll throughports 8l, 88. Thus the pressure port is marked as open in this angle,and as closed in the angle of motion represented by the lines |93 and|92.

The venting port (that is, slots is shown as closed between the angle oflines l0! and |94, which slightly overlaps the angle for which thepressure ports 81 are open. Therefore, it is seen that the venting portdoes not open until after the pressure port is closed. After the ventingport opens, the fluid passes out through the ports |09 and continues tobe open for an angle represented by lines |99 and |95. This angle isdetermined by appropriate design of the width of the slots 99 and |99.For the remainder of the angle of motion, that is, the angle betweenlines |95 and |02, the venting port is again closed. This is essential,because after the closure 13 is lifted from its seat 99, fluid can passupwardly into chamber 'lil from chamber "l2, and would be tancerepresented by the lost motion between slot 92 and pin 93. It is shownas the angle between lines IUI and |06. For the remainder of the motionthe main valve is open.

It is apparent from the foregoing that before any mechanical force isimposed upon lever 89 by pin 93, the pressure above the closure 'i3 isreduced. After this venting takes place, the pressure of the fluidacting in chamber l assists in urging the closure 'E3 upwardly.

Although the angular extents of open and closed position oi the variousports is indicated in Fig. l2, it is of course to be understood thatother proportions of angular motions could be utilized. The importantpoint is that by continued rotation of member l2, which requires only asmall force, the valve can be opened withont the necessity of overcomingany excessive fluid pressures.

The reverse movement, that is, closing movement of the main valve, isapparent from the foregoing. First of all the venting port is opened;then lever S9 is mechanically actuated by pin S3 toward closingposition; then the venting port is reclosed, and the pressure port issoon thereafter opened to exert a closing and sealing pressure onclosure '53.

In order to support the pilot pipe 32 conveniently, .as well as thepilot valve 9, there is shown a bracket i9? (Figs. 4 and 5) fastened toa lug |99 formed on the outside of the valve body. This bracket has ahorizontal extension through which the branch i9 extends, and to whichthe top of pilot valve 9 can be fastened. Leading downwardly from thishorizontal extension a yoke can be provided having arms and H9 imposinga deiinite mechanical limit to the movement of the pilot valve operatinglever 43.

It is apparent from the foregoing that the control valves, such as ii,are moved to open and closed position with facility; and particularly bymaking use of opposing fluid pressures acting on closure "i3, andcontrolled by rotation of member I2.

I claim:

1. In a valve, a valve body having a tapered valve seat leading to adischarge passage, said seat having an annular passage leadingintoitandconnecting to an inlet passage,atapered valve closure cooperating withthe seat to control communication between the annular passage and thedischarge passage, the taper being in such direction that the pressureof the fluid controlled by the valve is in a direction to urge theclosure to opening position, means forming a chamber over the valveclosure in which any fluid pressure urges the valve closure towardsealing position, and a rotatable control member accommodated by thevalve body, said valve body and member having a plurality of cooperatingsets of ports, adapted to be alined and out of alinement as said controlmember is rotated between its extreme positions, one set of portscontrolling the admission of the fluid to the chamber, and another setof ports controlling the venting of the chamber, the ports beingarranged in such manner that the admission ports are closed atsubstantially the same time as the venting ports open, and the ventingports are later then closed as the control member is further rotated.

2. In a valve, a valve body having a tapered valve seat leading to adischarge passage, said seat having an annular passage leading into itand connecting to an inlet passage, a tapered valve closure cooperatingwith the seat to control communication between the annular passage andthe discharge passage, the taper being in such direction that thepressure of the uid controlled by the Valve is in a direction to urgethe closure to opening position, means forming a chamber over the Valveclosure in which any fluid pressure urges the valve closure towardsealing position, a rotatable control member accommodated by the valvebody, said valve body and member having a plurality of cooperating setsof ports, adapted to be alined and out of alinement as said controlmember is rotated between its extreme positions, one set of portscontrolling the admission of the fluid to the chamber, and another setof ports controlling the venting of the chamber, and a connectionbetween the closure and the control member, so constructed that thisconnection moves the closure tov open position when the venting portsare open.

3. In a valve, a Valve body having a tapered valve seat leading to adischarge passage, said seat having an annular passage leading into itand connecting to an inlet passage, a tapered Valve closure cooperatingwith the seat to control communication between the annular passage andthe discharge passage, the taper being in such direction that thepressure of the fluid controlled by the valve is in a direction to urgethe closure to opening position, means forming a chamber over the Valveclosure in which any fluid pressure urges the valve closure towardsealing position, a rotatable control member accommodated by the valvebody, said valve body and member having a plurality of cooperating setsof ports, adapted to be alined and out of alinement as said controlmember is rotated between its extreme positions, one set of portscontrolling the admission of the uid to the chamber, and another set ofports controlling the venting of the chamber, the ports being arrangedin such manner that the admission ports are closed at substantially thesame time as the venting ports open, and the venting ports are laterthen closed as the control member is further rotated, and a connectionbetween the closure and the control member, so constructed that thisconnection moves the closure to open position when the venting ports areopen.

PATRICK DE LACY-MULHALL.

